Clinton, Mississippi – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team stormed out to a 20-point halftime lead and the Cru rolled to a 74-59 victory over Mississippi College Saturday afternoon in Clinton, Mississippi. UMHB improves to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in American Southwest Conference play with the victory. The loss drops the Choctaws to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in ASC play on the year.

The Cru scored the game's first six points and 14 of the first 18 to take a 10-point lead just 5:45 into the game. UMHB would close the half with an 11-2 run to build a 44-24 halftime lead. The advantage would grow to as many as 23 points in the second half before the Choctaws chipped away to close to within 13. Mississippi College would eventually cut the gap to ten, but the Cru would answer each time to preserve the victory.

James Allen poured in a game-high 29 points for the Cru and he hit 4-6 from three-point range. Jerard Graham and Kitrick Bell both added double-doubles for UMHB in the win. Graham finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Bell added 11 points and 12 boards. The Cru shot 44 per cent from the field and hit 27 free-throws in the victory.

Lakin Ford had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the Choctaws. Emmanuel Ezejiofo chipped in 12 points. Mississippi College shot 35 per cent from the field as a team and went just 6-27 from three-point range.

The UMHB men will now take a week and a half off for the Christmas break. The Cru will return to action with ASC road games at East Texas Baptist and LeTourneau University on January 2^nd and January 4^th.